The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has questioned the plan of the Philippine government to ban the entry of rice imports during harvest season, a move that will supposedly serve as a compromise to Malacañang’s latest move to temporarily slash tariff on imported rice from non-ASEAN countries....
The government intends to halt rice importation during the local harvest season to help protect farmers, according to a Palace official. (File photo/Keith Bacongco/Manila Bulletin) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque explained that rice importation will only be carried out after the domestic harvest...
State-lender Land Bank of the Philippines continues in administering support programs for the Department of Agriculture as part of the rice tariffication law’s (RTL) implementation to help Filipino rice farmers. In a statement on Wednesday, May 19, Land Bank said it has disbursed a total of P7.5...
Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Malacañang on Wednesday, May 19, to take back the executive order (EO) that lowers tariffs on imported rice, saying this will burden Filipino rice farmers. (Keith Bacongco/MANILA BULLETIN File Photo) “I urge Malacañang to recall EO 135. Lowering imported rice...
The country’s progressive farmers and corporate farms have high productivity and their products could compete with imports. Despite food exports totaling $5.1 billion, the Philippines still incurred a $5.9 billion trade deficit, thus earning the dubious distinction of being the only country with...
Two big farmers’ groups have sought the intervention of the Senate regarding the recently issued Executive Order (EO) 135, which temporarily reduced the import tariff rates for rice coming from non-ASEAN countries. In their separate letters, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and Samahang...
The government wanted to shore up the country's supply of rice given the threat posed by climate change when it reduced import tariffs on the staple food. (Manila Bulletin file photo by Keith Bacongco) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque defended the President Duterte's decision to lower the tariff...
Empowering women and youth in the agricultural sector through sustainable livelihood practices UST team and woman farmers during the World Cafe session in May 2019 UST Family Literacy Team leader and UST faculty member Dr. Gina Lontoc shared how the project she leads explores multi-stakeholder...
Amid recent government decisions that aim to increase the importation of rice and pork, food security advocacy group Tugon Kabuhayan has called for much-improved industry data gathering in the agriculture sector. In a virtual briefing, Asis Perez, convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan, said the government...
The country’s food producers – farmers, fishermen, and livestock raisers – are now facing the worst crisis in years. This was declared by United Broiler Raisers’ Association (UBRA) President Bong Inciong during the Farmers and Fisherfolks Congress on Friday. According to Inciong, the...
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Brother John Castriciones has appealed to traders to stop shortchanging farmers and start treating them fairly. Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Brother John Castriciones (Photo courtesy of DAR) This, after Castriciones was shocked to hear that...
Several groups have decided to boycott the government’s upcoming National Food Security Summit, which they believe will not be able to address the problems currently hounding the agriculture sector. At the same time, these groups are questioning the line-up of resource speakers in the summit, who...